Atlanta

Eco-friendly travel guide to Atlanta advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

Afternoon at the Piedmont Park in Atlanta

Air quality: 2.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.6 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.8 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4 / 5

Locals' English level: 5 / 5

Safety: 3.85 / 5

Accommodation: US$20 - $1,000

Budget per day: US90 - $1,200

Responsible Travel

Atlanta takes pride in its Southern hospitality and beautiful neighborhoods. As a city primed for tourism, it's a proud summer Olympic host, and it's well-furnished with critically acclaimed restaurants, civil rights’ history, and great museums. The magnetic charm of this city is enhanced by its present-day charm and amenities and grounded in its historic roots and, it's home to world-famous media moguls, entrepreneurs, and chefs.

Atlanta remains a crucial transportation hub, it's the largest city in Georgia, and it used to be a primary gateway to more remote corners of the Southeast as a railroad town. Boasting a thriving cultural community and a bustling financial and commercial center, Atlanta is the beating heart of the American South and it's reputed for its rolling hills, progressive views, and diverse population. Traveling to Atlanta offers such an exciting feeling and as an eco-friendly traveler in this city, you can make use of a few tips to travel responsibly;

Leave enough time to Navigate Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. For domestic or international flights, it's advisable that you arrive two hours beforehand and if it's an international, do well to even leave more time. It's better to be safe than sorry. There are over fifteen airlines also flying into this airport aside from the fact that it's Delta’s hub and this is why you shouldn't leave a little time for navigation. This airport is one of the busiest passenger airports in the world and you are likely to spend a significant amount of time just to get to your gate because of the miles of moving walkways, the subway within the actual airport, and the aboveground air train taking people to the terminals.
Using Atlanta's transportation is not a bad choice. There are discounts for multiple rides and each ride is $2.50. Offering access to major attractions and destinations in Atlanta, which as well include the airport, the city's system of buses and trains; the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), offers a convenient means of getting around. Although Atlanta is a city best navigated by car, its legendary traffic can make you... You know, probably go nuts. And, it's quite interesting to know that you can get around the city easily. To get to and from one of the world’s busiest airports, the airport station is the best option you have and you can easily get from Point A to B with the sophisticated network of buses and trains run by MARTA. More so, intown neighborhoods are as well close together within the city and this also makes navigating the city less herculean.
- If you're traveling to Atlanta on a budget, a budget-wise decision you could make on transportation is to buy in bulk. Rather than going for the pretty reasonable $2.50 flat-rate fare when you're pretty much aware that you'll be doing a lot of "being here and there", go for weekly or day passes. Weekly passes costs about $24 and day passes start at just $9.
Ditch the car in the city. It's advisable that you hop on MARTA instead because Atlanta's notorious traffic might not take it easy on you. But the thing is, if you want to properly explore the best of Georgia, you need your own set of wheels, just as it's common with most states in the United States of America but what shall be done to the incessant and worrisome traffic? A tangible reason why you should consider ditching the car. You can get around most of the neighbourhoods of note with the city's subway which will as well whizz you from the airport to Downtown in not more than 20 minutes. With stops in Downtown and Midtown, the best way to get to and from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is by MARTA, the city’s aboveground subway. Make plans to spend a leisurely morning wandering near your hotel and avoid morning and evening commuting times if you know you'll still be driving because, during rush hour, major slowdowns and aggressive drivers are the trademarks of Atlanta’s I-75 and I-85, which are the major arteries through the city.
Atlanta is not like other walkable cities, you can't walk everywhere. You'll have no better choice than to make Uber and Lyft your best friends in this city because that's your best bet. Although the Atlanta Beltline helps a couple of neighborhoods in the city like Old Fourth Ward and Midtown to connect, you need to understand that Atlanta is not a walkable city like Detroit, Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia, just to mention a few, and you shouldn't even think of the idea of walking everywhere. Depending on where you're heading to, taking the city's public transit can be a great idea but before you hop on MARTA, do well to map out your destination.
- Although Atlanta is not a walkable city, don't miss a walk on the Atlanta Beltline. The Atlanta Beltline is like the best place to take a walk in this city. It has a skateboard half-pipe and there are trails for bike riding and dog walking. Boasting restaurants with patios, installations, and street art, this project is a system of greenspace, trails, and rails. It's an urban project connecting 45 city neighborhoods and it's aiding a transformation of the city.
Invest in an Atlanta CityPASS. If it interests you to save some big bucks on your total cost of admission to places like World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium, and other popular sights in the city, the Atlanta CityPASS is the best way to go.

Air Quality and Pollution

Atlanta gets an “F” for ozone pollution when it comes to clean air. Fires (4 percent), industrial processes (5 percent), fuel combustion (non-vehicular, 18 percent), and mobile vehicular emissions (67 percent) are primarily the sources for nitrogen oxides relating to the air pollution in Atlanta. However, it's worthy to point out that cars are responsible for a significant amount of Atlanta air pollution and the leading cause of nitrogen dioxide pollution in Atlanta is vehicular emissions. Atlanta is well known for its traffic and city sprawl and it's not actually surprising that it's ranked 2nd nationally for most air pollution from motor vehicles by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Nevertheless, take note that the city's westside often experiences cleaner air quality than the east for Atlanta's air quality varies across the city.

Respect the Culture

Atlanta is known for many things. It hosts major companies such as Home Depot, UPS, and Coca-Cola, and it's home to the Bank of America Plaza which is one of the tallest buildings in the United States of America. Atlanta is making efforts to become one of the most progressive cities in the South, and it's now mostly occupied by professionals as a big and bustling city. However, Atlanta lacks the typical Southern charm even though it's situated in the Deep South. It's been filmed in several movies and television shows like "Zombieland", "The Blind Side," and "The Vampire Diaries," and many artists like Lil Jon, T.I., Ludacris, and Usher call the city home.

Atlanta is also home to several headquarters and it's also a stronghold in show business. It holds a large contingent of influential groups, it was the birth city of Martin Luther King Jr., and its culture is still tied to its roots. Amidst all these, Atlantans are party lovers with parties happening always at a festival, bar, comedy club, dance hall, and/or nightclub. Respecting the city's culture seems to cut across a whole lot of things and it could as well encompass a couple of do's and don'ts.

Don’t make fun of the accents of the locals. If you're having a conversation with a local and you can't hear what the person is saying, just ask the person politely to repeat whatever is said. And, imitation should be out of it for we all know every region of the country has an accent.
Don’t stare at the locals in Little Five Points. In this area, some of the trends you'll see are copious amounts of tattoos, facial piercings, ripped tights, spiked jewelry, and Blue Mohawks. The Little Five Points area in the city gives new meaning to individuality and it's filled with restaurants, bars, and boutiques.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Atlanta is one of the most important cities in the south and it's home to a flourishing downtown, a burgeoning music industry, and three skylines. This city combines southern traditions with sleek modernism as it has become the vanguard of the New South and it was once a hub of old-world propriety and the Old South. Atlanta has a little bit of everything whether you seek down-home country restaurants or glamorous resorts. It's a hot spot for tourist attractions, it’s hosted the Olympic games, and from wide-reaching cultural movements to military conflicts, it's been at the center of everything.

It's almost impossible to run out of things to do in Atlanta with places like Piedmont Park, the Atlanta History Center, and the Georgia Aquarium amidst many other attractions that adorn the city. Atlanta is a fine destination for families, couples, and singles as it offers all from free and family-friendly attractions to parks, a diverse selection of museums, a spectacular aquarium, and lots more.

Centennial Olympic Park: This is a stop that everyone should make at least once. Whether you're taking a vacation with the kids, honeymooning, or working, you wouldn't love to miss out this place. Centennial Olympic Park is one of the best things to do in Atlanta no matter why you’re coming to the city and it's a gateway for other attractions close-by in the city which include the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Georgia Aquarium for it's centrally located. There are nature tours, sports games, and picnics to be enjoyed at the free and open grassy fields and there are as well outdoor concerts and rallies hosted at the amphitheater here. There are holiday lights and shows in the winter and there are fireworks and festivals in the summer. This area is a sightseeing delight as you'll find light towers, sculptures, and flags scattered around. Jetting in elaborately synchronized displays and shooting musical, computer-controlled jets is the interactive water fountain; the Fountain of Rings, which is the centerpiece of the park. Everything you need for an exciting and fun-filled vacation is right at your reach for this sprawling urban space is engulfed with amusement parks, museums, malls, restaurants, and lots more. It was built for the 1996 Olympic Games.
Atlanta Botanical Garden: It's a must-see destination in the city with its offered fresh-blooming exhibits and plant-covered roofs. There's a children’s area for the little ones to play on the whimsical statues and sculptures and outdoor enthusiasts can try the canopy walk here. You might try the oriental gardens if you prefer a tidy, well-maintained landscape, and if it's in your interest to watch birds and tree frogs dart around as you walk through dense vegetation, there are several rainforest areas here, which could be quite pleasing for wilderness lovers. There’s always something fun to do here with this garden hosting edible gardens, canopy walks in the treetops, and a stunning collection of flowers as it brims with magnolias, azaleas, camellias, orchids, and roses.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park: This place is comprehensive enough that it can teach everyone a thing or two and it tells an important, far-reaching story. It's one of the best places to visit in Atlanta and you'll love to be here if you're fascinated by African-American history. It has a hall of fame for important figures. Knowledge of the trials and tribulations of Martin Luther during the Civil Rights Movement is shared at the visitor’s center and there's a rose garden blooming in his memory. You can pay a visit to the church where he was ordained as a pastor and his childhood home and the tomb of Dr. King and his wife is the centerpiece of the park.
World of Coca-Cola: You should definitely stop by here if you seek cool things to do in Atlanta. A lot of people don't know Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, do you? OK! There's a lot of fun awaiting you anyways from snapping a selfie with the Coca-Cola polar bear and checking out the taste-testing site filled with strange and exotic samples to seeing the “vault” dedicated to the secret recipe, a pop culture gallery, and 3D theater. There are factory tours where you can see how the real stuff is bottled and cola-making stations where you can create your own drinks. This place is one of the largest tourist attractions in Georgia and it's a tribute to the fun, fizzy drink.
Piedmont Park: It's almost impossible to talk about the top places to visit in Atlanta without including this spot. Swing by Piedmont Park for tons of entertainment this weekend but you need a little planning before you drop by because they do have a schedule with something going on always from music festivals to farmer's markets. It gets a lot of special events and there are likely to be camps or classes hosted on the grass, depending on the day you visit. Should you desire to toss around a pigskin, there are numerous sports fields at your disposal. You can clamber on playgrounds, enjoy picnics, or even rent bikes. Joggers can as well work up a sweat on the trails of this park which offers fun stuff to do for visitors of all types.
Zoo Atlanta: While walking the trails, you'll find something to “ooh” and “aww” here for this place provides all-day fun for visitors of all ages. Zoo Atlanta is one of the top things to see in the city whether you’re into kangaroos or cockatoos. One of the biggest draws of the zoo is the giant pandas which can't be found just anywhere anyhow. Snakes slither and alligators snap at the reptile world, there’s an aviary with twittering birds of every color, and there's a rainforest where gorillas and lemurs roam. You'll find Komodo dragons, tanukis, and pandas at the “Asian Forest” and there are naked mole rats, rhinos, elephants, and lions at the “African Savanna.” Almost all the animals here are divided by geographic region and if the idea of sipping a cocktail as you snap a selfie with a lizard catches your fancy, you can indulge in its happy hour events. With its yoga classes, summer camps, animal feedings, demonstrations, and shows, it offers educational entertainment for all as it's not only home to hundreds of different species. This is one of the coolest zoos you’ll ever visit.
Georgia Aquarium: Its exotic specimens might awaken a new interest in you and the sheer size of the place will take your breath away even if you aren’t normally excited about marine life. The George Aquarium is a must-see destination in Atlanta. You can find a little bit of everything here as there are about thousands of creatures here plus there's a special emphasis placed on cool and unusual breeds. You'll find species like seadragons, otters, penguins, puffins, fire eels, sea lions, and jellyfish here. It's home to whale sharks, all kinds of amazing creatures, fire eels, manta rays, and dolphins. It's the third-largest aquarium in the entire world and the largest in the United States. It's indeed a sight to behold and through its tunnels, tanks, and pools, it pumps more than 10 million gallons of water.
Buckhead: The beautiful thing about Buckhead is that you don't have to worry about fitting it into a tight itinerary for it's always open. If you seek the most fun things to do in Atlanta, check out the sites of Buckhead. Due to the chic atmosphere of this neighborhood, tours of the neighborhood are even scheduled by some tourist companies. You can just window-shop or people-watch if you don’t want to blow all of your money at Buckhead for there are several different shopping malls. From art galleries and trendy museums to fancy restaurants, you'll find a range of businesses here, and there are luxury brands for clothes, shoes, and jewelry around as it's a mecca for upscale shopping. Gleaming with office buildings and high-rise hotels that tower over the streets, it's just a short walk from downtown Atlanta and it's a swanky neighborhood.
Atlanta History Center: It provides an interesting, thought-provoking look and you'll definitely appreciate the wide-ranging scale of this place even if you're not a history buff. During the turbulent years of segregation, the struggles of the African-American community are documented by the Civil Rights collection, and you'll as well find World Wars I and II and Civil War photos and artifacts here amidst the plentiful more modern exhibits. The Atlanta History Center as well boasts the Native American collection and it chronicles the cultural shifts, migrations, campaigns, and many different battles that Atlanta has been at the epicenter of; from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement.
Atlanta BeltLine: Georgia attractions don’t get better than this as there's something new and exciting to enjoy at this Atlanta BeltLine. Maybe you’re making plans for next year or visiting Atlanta this weekend, this place keeps offering something fun and interesting to do whenever you come by. There are lots of stuff to do on the Atlanta BeltLine. Adults can browse outdoor art exhibits, kids can scamper in playgrounds, you can sign up for races and marathons, attend fitness classes, or walk or bike through nature. It's one of the largest reconstruction projects in Georgia history, and it connects more than 33 miles of greenery as it's a long series of parks and trails.

Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia

Explore

All you need for a full and varied vacation experience in this city from children’s attractions and historical sites to attractions and natural wonders is pretty much available for you. This Georgia city provides you with access to a wealth of attraction for it doesn't only exude culture and history. Atlanta is a hugely popular place amongst visitors; a fascinating city with a long and rich history, and it's packed with numerous green spaces to unwind in, highbrow culture hubs, theaters, and world-class museums.

This buzzing city is steeped in a rich African-American history. It's where traditional southern charm meets modern cosmopolitan style and it takes pride in being Georgia’s shiny skyscraping capital. There's no shortage of things to do in Atlanta and you'll as well find plenty of landmarks and attractions to choose from ranging from the famous Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site to the colossal Georgia Aquarium. In this city, you can enjoy exploring captivating neighborhoods like eccentric Little Five Points, dining in rustic smokehouses or chic sushi bars, or hit up the label-laden Phipps Plaza and The Mall at Peachtree Center for never-ending shopping sprees.

City Parks

From large state parks to small neighborhood parks, Atlanta boasts a number of parks where you can enjoy everything from camping and cycling to hiking and plentiful opportunities for water sports. Atlanta is a city notorious for its traffic with a thriving metropolitan area of close to 6 million people. And, Atlanta’s urban landscape is permeated by several unforgettable public parks as it's one of the greenest big cities in the South.

Piedmont Park: You cannot talk about the best parks in Atlanta without mentioning this park. All within walking distance, you'll find smoothie joints and ice cream shops in its surrounding area, and some added bonuses for you here are the swimming pool and the basketball courts. You can enjoy rich views of nearby Midtown skyscrapers provided by paved trails and, the lush, grassy, rolling hills of this place are often peppered by simple catch players, roller-blading maniacs, dog walkers, bikers, joggers, and frisbee players. It's perfect for almost any outdoor activity you could think of and it's mammoth-sized.
Chastain Park: It stretches as far as the eye can see and it's perfect for family picnics. It has several pathways, a scenic rolling golf course, and one of Atlanta’s best live music venues; Chastain Park Amphitheatre, call this place home. The beautiful Galloway School, a public middle school, a private and elegant horse park, a neighborhood swimming pool, community tennis courts, and youth league baseball and football fields are some of the local features surrounding the park. It's humming with plenty of activities and it's tucked away inside a mostly residential area of upper Buckhead.
Centennial Olympic Park: Centennial Olympic Park is one of the best things to do in Atlanta no matter why you’re coming to the city and it's a gateway for other attractions close-by in the city which include the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Georgia Aquarium for it's centrally located. There are nature tours, sports games, and picnics to be enjoyed at the free and open grassy fields and there are as well outdoor concerts and rallies hosted at the amphitheater here. There are holiday lights and shows in the winter and there are fireworks and festivals in the summer. This area is a sightseeing delight as you'll find light towers, sculptures, and flags scattered around. Jetting in elaborately synchronized displays and shooting musical, computer-controlled jets is the interactive water fountain; the Fountain of Rings, which is the centerpiece of the park.

Piedmont Park in Atlanta

National Parks

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is the most popular national park in Atlanta. It's one of the best places to visit in Atlanta and you'll love to be here if you're fascinated by African-American history. It has a hall of fame for important figures. Knowledge of the trials and tribulations of Martin Luther during the Civil Rights Movement is shared at the visitor’s center and there's a rose garden blooming in his memory. You can pay a visit to the church where he was ordained as a pastor and his childhood home and the tomb of Dr. King and his wife is the centerpiece of the park.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is another popular landmark in Atlanta and it's as well one of the greatest natural sites in Atlanta. Throughout most of the year, the river is perfect for a family outing whether you’d prefer to get more adventurous with a canoe or you just want to go for a hike. The river makes a great backdrop for a variety of outdoor activities and there are several points at which you can enter here. You can have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, or take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display here, and this river valley attracts people for so many reasons.

Beaches

There are no beaches in Atlanta but planning a getaway to some of the nearby beaches is feasible.

Landmarks

Exploring a variety of landmarks in Atlanta is a cool way to get to know the local culture here. Atlanta is famous for its arts community, lively music scene, scenic skylines, and rich history. And, if it interests you to check out some of the city's landmarks, here are some fine suggestions for you!

Historic Oakland Cemetery: Here, you can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the park, attend fun events, learn about the past, or take a variety of tours. Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell, and other Atlanta’s historical figures are laid to rest in this beautiful area which was established in 1850. There's impressive architecture, fascinating sculptures, and lush gardens to be enjoyed here.
Georgia State Capitol: There's free admission offered here sometimes and you can browse through exhibitions and artifacts and as well enjoy learning about the significance of this historic building in Atlanta. You can explore the museum and participate in educational tours, even though it remains a functioning government building. The architecture of this place dates back to the late 19th century.
Skyview Atlanta: You can enjoy an enhanced experience by purchasing tickets for the VIP gondolas. It's an awesome date idea in the downtown area and there are twenty stories for incredible views of the city this unique structure brings you up to. Taking a ride on the giant SkyView Ferris wheel is such an exciting thing to do here.

Georgia State Capitol

Museums

There are lots of nice museums in Atlanta and they include:

High Museum of Art: If you appreciate beautiful paintings in a beautiful setting, this is where you should be. Do well to give this place a try even if you're not much of an art person. The collections of this place will make you feel like you've been here before. Offering everything from Sirlin’s abstract swirls to Monet’s water lilies, this museum has managed to snag some famous works and its hallways are filled with gorgeous natural light.
CDC Museum: Sign up for a tour and get to learning. Without having to pay a dime, you'll get to have a knowledge of relevant and real-world information. To be fascinated by the CDC Museum, you don’t have to be a science nerd, and this is a good place to be for those who seek cool things to do that won't make them break the bank. You won't even be charged for parking and you can watch informative videos about HIV, the Ebola virus, or others, or perhaps, tour collections of hazmat suits. From global health issues and emergency responses to water sanitation, germ theory, disease control, and pollution, exhibitions here cover a wide range of topics.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Consider the Children’s Museum of Atlanta if you’re wondering what to do in Atlanta with kids. There are musical numbers from costumed actors; workstations with scientific circuits and blocks; tree houses to climb; and robots to program. Kids can learn through playtime here for it's a fun, interactive place. It's nicknamed “The Museum Without Walls” because of its open floor and it has a very vibrant interior.

The beautiful and contemporary building of High Museum of Art

Eat

If you're a food lover, you definitely wouldn't want to miss out on Atlanta's one-of-a-kind, eclectic dining scene because this city is gradually becoming a foodie town. Atlanta has earned a place at the table with other popular culinary cities because of its key ingredients which include award-winning chefs, culinary diversity, variety of restaurants, and affordability. In this beautiful city, there's something for every taste because cuisine that spans the globe is featured by the array of restaurants offered at the city's assortment of neighborhoods.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Some of the best traditional local restaurants in Atlanta include:

Gunshow
Folk Art Restaurant
Aviva by Kameel Downtown
The Colonnade
Bones Restaurant

Vegetarian and Vegan

The progressive culinary landscape in Atlanta should make vegans and vegetarians feel at home as there's no shortage of options for them in this city:

Slutty Vegan: It has additional add-on toppings available and there's a side of fries and a pickle that comes with each order of burger or sandwich. It used to be a food truck before it became a restaurant.
Dulce Vegan Bakery and Cafe: It accepts custom cake orders and it has Wi-Fi. It's a place you can visit to enjoy tea, coffee, cupcakes, sweets, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, and soups. It's a vegan bakery and cafe.
Green Sprout: It has soy versions of salmon, shrimp, pork, beef, chicken, and it sells Asian comfort food. It became all-vegan in 2015 and it offers lunch specials. It boasts an extensive menu and it's one of the popular vegan restaurants in Atlanta.
Healthful Essence: It's Black-owned and it has Wi-Fi with reggae music often playing in the background. There are iris moss drinks, marinated kale salad, tofu cutlets, curry vegetables, and jerk un-chicken featured on its menu, and it's a Caribbean-style vegan cuisine.
Cafe Sunflower: It's fully vegan and it offers many dishes and vegan cake. From Asian to Southwestern American, it serves a varied range of cuisines, and it offers a fine dining experience at its restaurants in its two locations.

Street Food

Street food is relatively new to Atlanta but then, Atlanta has many food trucks you can try out, and here are some of the popular ones;

The Fry Guy
Westside Creamery
Good Food Truck
Mixd Up
Pop Shop
Yumbii
Sweet Auburn BBQ

The fry guy meal

Drink

Coca-Cola is headquartered in midtown Atlanta and this makes it one of the favorite drinks of the locals. Pepsi is another alternative that comes close to Coca-Cola and it's often like a suggestion that pops up when Coca-Cola isn't available at a restaurant. Sweet tea, beer, and more beer are the other staples in the city.

Tap-water

The tap water in Atlanta is safe to drink and this is in accordance with the standards and measurements of CDC and EPA. Lake Allatoona, Lake Lanier, and the Chattahoochee River are where the water supply for Atlanta comes from.

Organic Cafés

Upbeet, KarmaFarm, and True Food Kitchen are some of the best organic cafés in Atlanta.

Breweries

Atlanta has several local breweries that visitors will fall in love with:

Sweetwater Brewing Company
Three Taverns Brewery
Wild Heaven Craft Beers
Orpheus Brewing
Monday Night Brewing
Second Self Beer Company

Activities

Atlanta's mouth-watering dining and trendsetting culture will keep you craving for more and the plentiful scenic outdoor green spaces, historic sites, and family-friendly attractions do get to set the pace. There are super fun things to do in Atlanta and here are some great ideas for you:

Watch a game at Atlanta’s sports stadiums
Take in panoramic views at Skyline Park
Watch experimental theater or catch a Broadway show at Alliance Theatre
Explore the creepy yet charming Doll’s Head Trail
Visit the too-cute panda twins at Zoo Atlanta
Tour vintage jets at the Delta Flight Museum
Roll to soul at Cascade Skating Rink
Escape the traffic and hike through Fernbank Forest
Walk, bike, run, or skate down the BeltLine
Snap a selfie at these colorful Atlanta murals
Hike Kennesaw Mountain

Spend a day at the Skyline Park and enjoy the beautiful Sunset

Yoga and Retreats

You can visit any of these places for your yoga and retreats in Atlanta:

Highland Yoga
Yonda Yoga
Peachtree Yoga Center
Evolution Yoga Atlanta
Laughing Heart Healing

Accommodation

Accommodation options are plentiful in Atlanta and you're bound to find a room that fits your needs as the city's boasts everything from hip boutiques to family-friendly hotels and super exclusive hotels like the Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, St. Regis Atlanta, and the Ritz-Carlton Downtown. There's something for everyone’s taste and budget for the thousands of hotel rooms in the city are not for mere decorations.

Green Hotels

Atlanta is a leader in environmental sustainability and if you seek to stay in a cool eco-friendly hotel during your visit to Atlanta, here are worthy options you can opt-in for:

Emory Conference Center Hotel
The Westin Peachtree Plaza
Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway
Ellis Hotel, Atlanta
HYATT house Atlanta/Cobb Galleria
The Westin Atlanta Airport

Hostels and Guest Houses

There's no shortage of hostels and guest houses in Atlanta and here are some of the few best ones you'll find around:

Residence
Urban Oasis Bed & Breakfast
The Social Goat Bed and Breakfast
The Atlanta's Men's Hostel & BNB
Stonehurst Place
Sugar Magnolia Bed & Breakfast
Inman Park Bed & Breakfast

Apartments

Rents are appreciating faster in Atlanta right now and Joshua Clark, an economist at HotPads, an apartment search site, also corroborated that Atlanta’s rents are quickly on the rise and the general upward price trend in rent is consequential to the rapid job growth in the city's metro area. Nevertheless, you can still find some relatively well-priced apartments in the city if you don't have much to spend on procuring an apartment. You can use Craigslist to search for an apartment in this city, check other websites online for listings or perhaps, subscribe to a fine Airbnb option.

Couchsurfing

A great way to experience an authentic side and hidden part of Atlanta is by finding a local host to stay with. This will also make you spend very little or nothing on accommodation but the locals tend to be very picky.

Camping

Camping is a preferred accommodation option for many and here are some of the best places to enjoy camping in Atlanta:

Wildwood Gardens Park
Stone Mountain Park Campground (close-by)
Lucius D. Simon, Sr. Memorial Park at South Atlanta
Atlanta Marietta RV Resort Park
Buckhead Triangle Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park (close-by)

How to Get There

Situated 10 miles SW of downtown, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is regarded to be one of the busiest passenger airports in the city and it's a common option for those arriving in Atlanta.

Air

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the principal airport in Atlanta. It covers 4,700 acres of land, it served more than 107 million passengers in 2018, and it's been the world's busiest airport since 1999.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Bus

Long-distance bus travel service providers like GoToBus, Megabus, and Greyhound Bus Lines offer service to Atlanta from locations across some parts of the United States.

Temsa bus in Atlanta

Train

Atlanta is served by Amtrak. New Orleans, Birmingham, Gainesville, Charlotte, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York are served by Amtrak's Crescent train which runs daily.

Hitchhiking

In the state of Georgia, it's illegal to solicit a ride while standing in the roadway.

Others

You can get in the city by car if you're coming from other close-by cities. The GA-400, I-20, I-85, and I-75 are the principal highways serving the city which make the city accessible by car from cities in North Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and more.

Moving Around

Most of the attractions in the city are easily accessible by public transit, the major downtown neighborhoods are quite walkable, and walking and public transit are well suited for visitors, even though most locals rely on their cars for their everyday transit. However, driving is usually the fastest means of getting around if you've got a car anyway but Atlanta's public transportation system; MARTA, is the best way to get around Atlanta.

Walk

With many improvements made in the last decade, visitors will find today's Atlanta to be quite walkable, and attractions like the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Georgia Aquarium, and World of Coca-Cola are within walking distance.

Bicycle

Biking is a great way to see the city's top attractions and Atlanta's Relay Bike Share system makes loaner bikes available for those who would love to employ biking as a means of getting around.

Electronic Vehicles

Electronic vehicles are available for rentals at some of the car rental companies you'll find around.

Public Bus

MARTA buses operate throughout downtown and the suburbs and they offer easy access to neighborhoods which are not accessible by MARTA train with fares starting at $2.50 flat-rate.

Tram, Train and Subway

MARTA's trains, can, at times, be inefficient, but they're the quickest way to get around and for a one-way trip, the fare is a flat $2.50.

Sustainable Shopping

Shopping sustainably in Atlanta is easy as you'll find an array of eco-friendly shops in the city.

Food Markets

If you're a shopaholic in Atlanta hoping to get handmade products, fresh fruits, veggies, and lots more, you'll find the food markets in Atlanta to be a real treat:

Ponce City Farmers Market
Peachtree Road Farmers Market
East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
Krog Street Market
Starlight Six Giant Flea Market
The Emory Farmers Market
Grant Park Farmers Market

Krog Street Market

Flea Markets

Moreland Flea Market, Buford Highway Flea Market, People Flea Market, and West View Flea Market are some of the best flea markets in Atlanta.

Second Hand Stores

Some of the best second-hand stores you'll find in Atlanta are:

The Clothing Warehouse
Psycho Sisters
Rag-O-Rama
JUNKMAN’S DAUGHTER
The Lucky Exchange
LOST-N-FOUND YOUTH THRIFT STORE
The Salvation Army
The Greenhouse

Eco-Fashion

If ethical fashion shopping is your watchword, then you should do well to patronize any of these places in Atlanta:

Maelu Designs
Rochelle Porter Design
Beyamade
Abbadabba’s
At the Collective
Bill Hallman Studio

Recycling

Atlanta provides curbside recycling collection every week and you're eligible for curbside recycling pick-up if you live in a single-family residence.

Waste

The Department of Public Works Office of Solid Waste Services is in charge of waste collection in the city.

Work and Study Abroad

Atlanta is gradually gaining more recognition as a fine spot for work and study abroad.

Exchange Student

Most universities and colleges in Atlanta offer the student exchange program.

Au Pair

There's a good chance of finding opportunities as an au pair in Atlanta and talking to the locals around you is a good way to begin.

Volunteering

From AID Atlanta and Lekotek of Georgia to Foreverfamily and Atlanta Humane Society, you'll find tons of organizations you can volunteer for in Atlanta.